What Licence Do I Need to Drive a Van?

Date icon 17/03/2022 Read time icon 9 minutes read

Please note: This article has been updated as of April 2024

Being able to drive a van on your driving licence is something many of us have wondered from time to time. Most people are aware that there are other types of driving licence that become a requirement for larger vehicles, but exactly where the lines are drawn can be confusing. What’s more, different rules can apply to different people depending on when they first obtained their driver’s licence.

But not to worry. If you’re trying to figure out if you are legally allowed to drive a van, we’re here to help.

View the full list of UK driving licence categories here

Can I Drive a Van on My Car Licence?

If you passed your test using a car, you’ll have what’s known as a full category B licence. This allows you to drive a wide variety of vehicles, but it does come with its limitations. You’ll need to be aware of gross vehicle weight (GVW) to determine if you’re legally allowed to drive a van.

Can I Get a Van Driving Licence?

The short answer is no as a specific van driving licence doesn’t exist. This means that if you want to drive a van, there’s a little more to it than just applying for a licence.

What Size and Types of Vans Can I Drive on a Normal Licence?

Generally, many small vans will come in under 2,500 kg, whilst the largest commercial vans tend to top out at 3,500 kg.

That’s mostly good news, as it’s a GVW of 3,500 kg (or 3.5 tonnes) that applies to the category B licence - which, as established, is the typical licence given for passing a test in a car.

If you passed your driving test before January 1st 1997, you are likely to have C1 entitlement, which allows you to drive vans (with or without a trailer) up to 8,250 kg (8.25 tonnes) MAM.

Below is a list of some of the commercial vans you can drive on a category B licence with Northgate:

Volkswagen Crafter

What is Gross Vehicle Weight?

Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the total weight of a given van, plus the maximum weight it can carry in cargo if it were full (also known as laden weight). Commercial vehicles vary in their GVW, depending on their overall size and specification.

In essence, that means you can drive the majority of vans on what’s sometimes known as a ‘car licence’. You’ll just need to be sure its gross weight comes in at or under the 3,500kg figure.

How Can I Tell the GVW of a Van?

The GVW is usually shown on a sticker or a metal plate, with the latter being the reason GWV is sometimes referred to as the van’s ‘plated weight’. In most cases, you’ll see the GVW displayed on the inside door of the driver or passenger side of the van. If not, it’s usually underneath the bonnet. Check the vehicle handbook for its specific location.

What Are the Category B Licence Changes?

If you hold a Category B licence, you’re entitled to drive vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass (MAM), with up to eight passenger seats.

In May 2018, the UK law changed slightly to allow Category B licence holders to drive heavier vehicles if they are powered by alternative fuels. Alternatively-fuelled vehicles (AFVs) used for the transportation of goods and weighing no more than 4.5 tonnes now also fall under a category B licence.

This means that AFVs have become a more viable option for businesses, and businesses can operate heavier AFVs without the need for their drivers to have a C1 driving licence. This change is part of the government’s commitment to greener vehicles. For the automotive industry, this law will progressively push us towards using greener vehicles.

Why Can’t I Drive a Van on My Licence?

If you find the van you require exceeds the 3,500kg limit and you’re not legally allowed to drive it; this is simply a matter of safety.

Larger and heavier vehicles get increasingly difficult to manoeuvre and keep under control, and there naturally reaches a point where additional training is required for you to be able to do so safely.

Thankfully, the majority of commercial vans come in at 3,500 kg or below, so most licence holders should find they don’t have a problem. Therefore, if you’re questioning if you can drive a 3.5 tonne or less van with your licence, the answer is almost always yes.

Can I Tow a Trailer with a Van on My Licence?

Things get a little more complicated when it comes to trailers. Every standard category B licence will allow you to tow a trailer provided its maximum authorised mass - the trailer’s own weight plus the limit for its cargo - doesn’t exceed 750 kg.

The rule around Category B vans continues to apply to both the van and trailer together, though. That means the gross total/combination weight (GTW/GCW) of the two still cannot exceed the 3,500 kg limit. In this case, using a standard 750 kg unbraked trailer would mean your van cannot exceed a GVW of 2,750 kg on the van alone.

If you do want to tow a trailer that exceeds 750 kg, you’ll need to apply and pass the tests for a licence in a category known as ‘B+E’.

Can I Drive an Electric Van on My Licence?

Electric vans tend to be heavier due to the weight from the battery. Because of this, you’re allowed to drive electric vans with a GVW of up to 4,250 kg (4.25 tonnes) instead.

Previously, five-hour training and certification was required to drive an electric van, however this has since been changed. This has been done to encourage fleets to switch to zero-emission vehicles after it was found that confusion over requirements was leading to many companies avoiding electric fleet vehicles.

How Northgate Can Provide Commercial Vans for Your Business

At Northgate Vehicle Hire, we provide businesses with an excellent selection of commercial vans that can be driven on category B licences. By growing your fleet with business van hire companies like us, you can supply your business with all the tools it needs without paying limiting upfront costs and being stuck with assets you don’t want.

With hire agreements up to 48 months, you can find us all across the UK from van hire in Glasgow to Portsmouth. Use our online vehicle finder to see what we’re stocking at the moment, or give the team a call on 0333 0430 001.